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Occupy... where?!

I think we're seeing a new model for the future developing: the same concern for their fellows and urge to action that spawned a worldwide movement have come together to tackle a different sort of threat to people.

You might be surprised at what has become a lauded and effective relief organization for victims of Superstorm Sandy: Occupy Wall Street.The social media savvy that helped Occupy protesters create a grass-roots global movement last year — one that ultimately collapsed under its leaderless format — is proving to be a strength as members fan out across New York to deliver aid including hot meals, medicine and blankets.

Yes, it's the same folks who oppose the corruption of government spawned by the power of the big banks, with the same organization pattern and contacts. They're out there hauling food, cleaning homes, pumping basements, whatever it takes to help the people hit hard by superstorm Sandy.

For all the naysayers, now you can see what the heart of the Occupy movement is -- something most of you won't understand.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Occupy... where?!

And (besides organizing hurricane relief) what exactly are they doing and who are they impacting.... I made a speech in thread #438 in CEP and you know what it meant? Dick! that is what it meant.

Occupy is not a political party but rather a diverse coalition of people who argue that our present economic system is neither sustainable nor fair. And its aim is to bring these issues to the forefront of mainstream politics.

Re: Occupy... where?!

Right and I stated when they were protesting in the streets that without leadership or a goal they would fall apart.

Please name any change that has occurred because of this loosely associated idealism.

You could say Sandy relief but they will have had to have installed a organizational leadership structure and now have a goal... helping hurricane victims.

We have had little change so far. But there is now a more widespread awareness that our economic and financial system may not be fit for purpose.
Change, if it is to come, may take generations, and only when mainstream politics takes the issues seriously.

Re: Occupy... where?!

Originally Posted by EastMed

We have had little change so far. But there is now a more widespread awareness that our economic and financial system may not be fit for purpose.
Change, if it is to come, may take generations, and only when mainstream politics takes the issues seriously.

I will give you that. there is no telling what kind of midnset it will change that will influence future actions

Re: Occupy... where?!

I agree GC. there was a point where OWS could have solidified support behind candidates and made a difference. And perhaps through tiny projects like Jubilee they will affect a few. Yet any movement without a clear goal and organization is destined to fail.

Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Re: Occupy... where?!

I figured your post was going to be about how Occupy has died much quicker than the Tea Party died.

Too bad we can't do italics in thread titles, I think it would have been clearer.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Occupy... where?!

Right and I stated when they were protesting in the streets that without leadership or a goal they would fall apart.

Please name any change that has occurred because of this loosely associated idealism.

You could say Sandy relief but they will have had to have installed a organizational leadership structure and now have a goal... helping hurricane victims.

If you read the speech linked above, it seems they've had an impact on the UK banking system.

Looking at that, I predict that if the US banking system does not actively help write regulation to restrain the foolish behavior that resulted in our current mess, we will find more and more that international business will go elsewhere in search of banks that can be trusted.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Occupy... where?!

Brilliant idea. I can see why it works; a friend of mine once settled a large medical debt at fifteen cents on the dollar; since institutions will do that, a little money can function as a lot. And if we had a balanced tax structure, instead of one giving us a trickle-up economy, it would spread the pain around fairly.

Originally Posted by GiancarloC

It's nice to see this. Thanks for bringing up the article, kulindahr. Certain right wingers on this forum bashed and criticized Occupy Wall Street to no end. Regardless, I do think they need a more coherent leadership structure to grow in further effectiveness... but maybe I could be wrong.

I'm seeing in the Occupy movement a reaching toward an older model of leadership, one that ran small-town America for generations (until higher government decreed it wasn't allowed): the leader on any given thing is the one people trust to know how to do that thing. It worked in small towns because everyone knew everyone, and in not-so-small towns because everyone at least knew someone who knew the people with the knowledge and skills that made them trusted. But the internet has provided a way that trust can be established and grown without any formal leadership structure being needed at all. And that may be the greatest contribution the movement will make: a way to run our own lives and affairs without the constant mandated recourse to giant bureaucracies as intermediaries.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Occupy... where?!

It looks like a very interesting initative. It is a way for ordinary people to help each other out, and may have lasting political impact.
The private sector was bailed out, now it's the people's turn.

Re: Occupy... where?!

Originally Posted by Kulindahr

If you read the speech linked above, it seems they've had an impact on the UK banking system.

Looking at that, I predict that if the US banking system does not actively help write regulation to restrain the foolish behavior that resulted in our current mess, we will find more and more that international business will go elsewhere in search of banks that can be trusted.

I am sorry Kuli but I did read it and besides flowery words of praise for OWS pointing out inequity he offers nothing in the speech (that is not endorsed by the bank he spoke at BTW) to claim that OWS is responsible for developing the ideas contained. Volker or Vickers rule? Really when was Volker in power? All of the ideas that are offered as solutions to the issue came from economist not from OWS.

Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Re: Occupy... where?!

In this instance the goal is Hurricane relief and the organization is not of their own doing. It is the frame work being set into place by the local and federal governments.

They're not paying much attention to what the government is doing, they're finding needs and meeting them.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "